Final week adds center on Atlanta: Baldwin and Kim anchor the Braves’ late-season push, with Baldwin delivering a breakout line (271/18 HR/75 RBI across 117 games) and a hot stretch that includes September surges against Washington and Pittsburgh; Kim follows with multi-week runtime (10 runs, 6 RBI, 304 AVG) and 2B eligibility, making them prime late-week targets.

Also in play are Reds’ Spencer Steer, Angels prospect Christian Moore, and Dylan Cruz of Washington, each carrying recent hot bats and keeper-week upside. Cleveland’s trio of pitchers Slade Cone, Parker Messick, and Joey Kantio; Royals’ Steven Kolick; Orioles’ Keegan Akin; and Braves’ Bryce Elder provide pitching streams and potential saves. Deep formats gain juice from conversions like Ian Seymour and Toronto’s rise as well.

Roster strategy: capitalize on hot bats in redraft, but preserve keeper value in dynasty; chase favorable matchups in the final slate, and sprinkle in DL-friendly or prospect-backed adds for 2026 upside. The episode emphasizes handbags of value across both hitting and pitching as the season closes.

Chase Burns showcased a remarkable debut against the Yankees, striking out eight batters in five innings despite allowing three runs. His fastball reached up to 99 mph and his slider impressed, making him a top add in fantasy leagues. Meanwhile, Ryan Kirkering emerged as a potential closer for the Phillies with strong performances, suggesting he should be monitored. Matthew Liberatore is also on the radar after strong starts post-injury, while Trevor Rogers is set for a favorable matchup, making him a must-add. Christian Moore continues to light it up for the Angels, showing significant power potential.

Burns' electric performance, combined with Kirkering's rise, presents exciting options for fantasy owners looking to bolster their pitching staff. Meanwhile, the offensive boost from Moore could provide invaluable depth in the second base position. With Liberatore's success and Rogers' promising outlook, fantasy managers must act quickly to secure these players before their value skyrockets.

Chase Burns made an impressive Major League debut, striking out eight batters in five innings while showing off his powerful fastball and effective slider. This performance sets him up as a must-start fantasy option moving forward, especially with his ability to generate swings and misses (26% whiff rate). Similarly, rookie Christian Moore had a breakout moment with two home runs, including a dramatic walk-off, suggesting he could be a valuable asset in deeper leagues.

The podcast also covers the continued success of pitchers like Ranger Suarez and Framber Valdez, both of whom have been solid in recent outings. Valdez has demonstrated the ability to navigate through lineups effectively without his best stuff, making him a reliable starter for fantasy owners.

For those in deep leagues, the hosts highlight potential waiver wire pickups, including Rockies hitters like Jordan Beck and Michael Tolia, who are producing strong results at Coors Field. The podcast offers actionable insights for savvy fantasy managers looking to capitalize on emerging talent and navigate injuries impacting players like Bryce Harper and Yordan Alvarez.

The latest episode of Baseball Barbass dives into the world of MLB rookies, highlighting the impressive debut of Chase Burns as he strikes out the first six batters he faced. Despite a no-decision, the performance showcased his exceptional fastball and slider, leading discussions on his potential impact for the Cincinnati Reds. The conversation also includes a thrilling two-home run game from Christian Moore, who has been a source of energy for the Angels, demonstrating how young talent can shine in critical moments. Meanwhile, the Yankees are struggling, losing an extra-inning game, raising questions about their performance.

With the All-Star voting updates, the complexities of the new voting system are explored, emphasizing how it changes the landscape for players like Ryan O'Hearn and Ben Rice. The episode wraps with a focus on the upcoming A's stadium plans in Las Vegas, with discussions about the skepticism surrounding the ownership's promises to the fans.